Fastening for securing the webbing on litters or other constructions of a similar nature



ited States The invention herein disclosed relates to fastenings for securing webbing.

Particularly the invention is concerned with securing the canvas on the side bars of a litter construction and the general objects of the invention are to accomplish this without use of nails, screws or other such devices and to secure the fabric in place by a simple act of assembly.

While particularly directed to litter constructions it will be appreciated that the invention relates to Web fastenings generally.

The desired objects have been accomplished through use of an extruded hollow support formed with an elongated narrow channel with a slot opening from the channel out through the side of the support and the formation of the fabric with doubly folded edges with wide seams stitched down the center and substantially completely filling the confining channel, resting on a bead which forms a supporting shelf and providing continuous holding support for the fabric.

Other desirable objects and features of the invention are set forth and will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification illustrates a present practical embodiment of the invention. Structure however may be modified and changed as regards the immediate illustration, all within the true intent and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

FIG. 1 in the drawing is a broken plan view of a litter having the invention incorporated therein.

FIG. 2 is a broken side elevation of the same.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged broken cross sectional view as on substantially the plane of line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a broken perspective view of the webbing.

The side bars 7 of the litter illustrated are of light metal extruded in the novel hollow cross sectional form shown in FIG. 3 with a narrow longitudinally extending channel 8 in one side having vertically extended parallel side walls 9, l partially closed at the bottom by an inwardly extending rib or head 11, leaving a thin passage 12 at the inner wall of the channel open to a correspondingiy thin slot 13 opening out through the side of the bar.

The bar is shown as having a generally rectangular cross section with an open chamber 14 at the side of the channel and a larger open chamber 15 taking up the lower portion of the bar. I

This provides a light, strong bar or rail of a size and configuration suitable for a litter or possibly for a bed or cot rail or other article of furniture.

The canvas webbing connecting the side bars is designated 16 and this is secured in place by having seamed edges confined in the channels described.

These seams are of special size and configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 each seam is made up by first forming a wide fold :17 in the edge of the fabric and then doubling over this initial fold as indicated at 18 and then permanently securing these double folds by stitching 19 or equivalent fastening extending down the center of the wide double seam.

This provides a thick flat welt along the edge of the fabric capable when combined with the novel form of support of sustaining any weight to which the fabric webbing may be subject.

The wide and thick securing seam and the channel in atent "ice the bar are complemental in cross sectional shape, the channel being of greater vertical than horizontal extent to match the width of the seam and narrow enough to firmly confine the thick seam.

The downward and outwardly extending passages 12 and Bare narrow enough to confine and hold the fabric, usually of the width approximately equal to the thickness of the fabric.

The channels are open at opposite ends or have openings by which the thickened welts may be introduced and slid into fully seated position in the channels, with the body of the fabric extending down and out through the side slots and thence upward over the side and over the top of the bars.

The head 11 forms a shoulder or shelf on which the thickened seam rests and is supported.

After the webbing has been fully engaged in the confining channel it may be secured against endwise slipping or creep as by screws 20 extending through exposed end portions of the webbing into the material of the bar.

In addition to many advantages of thus fastening the webbing material to the support, the construction illustrated leaves the lower portion of the bar clear for the passage of bolts 21 which may be used for supporting or attaching various objects.

The extruded formation illustrated provides smooth surfaces and rounded edges which will not cut or injure the fabric and which enable the thickened edge portions to be readily entered in the confining channels'and the fabric to extend smoothly out the narrow slots and carried over the top of the bars.

To avoid putting any fastenings through the fabricthe material may be secured in place by means of clips, such as illustrated at 22 in FIG. 3, caught beneath the heads of the bolts 21 and having angularly extended lips or flanges 23 at the upper ends in clamping and holding engagement with the part of the fabric issuing from the slot 13. With use of these fabric clamping clips the screws 20 for anchoring the fabric may be unnecessary.

An additional advantage is that with wing nuts or equivalent on the inner ends the bolts may be released to enable the quick removal and replacement of the webbing on the side bars, an important feature in the case of damage to or soiling of the fabric.

What is claimed is:

1. In a litter or like construction comprising spaced side bars and fabric connecting the same, said side bars being of hollow extruded formation having longitudinally extending confining channels open at opposite ends and slots inthe sides of the bars opening into the lower ends of said channels, said channels being of flat parallel sided narrow formation of greater vertical than horizontal extent and having internal beads along the upperedges of said slots and said slots being of a width approximately the thickness of the fabric and said fabric having opposite edges folded at least twice on itself into compact, solid wide flat seams of approximately the vertical and horizontal extent of said channels and secured by stitching extending along the center of said seams, said doubly seamed edges being entered through the open ends into said channels and approximately filling the entire cross section of said channels with the seamed edges resting on said internal beads and the fabric extending downward from said channels and outward through said side slots and upward over the sides and over the upper surfaces of said side bars.

2. In a litter or like construction comprising spaced side bars and fabric connecting the same, said side bars being of hollow extruded formation having longitudinally extending confining channels open at opposite ends and slots in the sides of the bars opening into the lower ends of said channels, said channels being of flat parallel sided narrow formation of greater vertical than horizontal extent and said slots being of a width approximately the thickness of the fabric and said fabric having opposite edges folded on itself into compact, solid wide fiat thick seams of approximately the vertical and horizontal extent of said channels and said seamed edges being entered through the open ends into "said channels and approximately filling the entire cross (section .of said channels and the fabric extending downward from said channels and outward through said side slots and upward over the sides and over the upper surfaces of said side .bars :and screw means -releasablysecuring 'the ends of said .fabric against creeping or slipping movement in'said channels.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said means for securing the fabric against creeping or slipping References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,878 Lovell June 17, 1930 1 ,926,089 Forbes et al Sept. 12, 1933 2,899,693 Stollenwerk Aug. 18, 1959 V FOREIGN PATENTS 344,534 Switzerland Mar. 31, 1960 613,98'8 Germany Nov. 26, 1933 1,201,822 France July 15, 1959 

